California's Mad River Fish Hatchery will close in June after over 50 years of operation, primarily due to rising repair costs and federal restrictions on steelhead production. This facility, the smallest among California's hatcheries, has faced financial challenges for years, including a temporary closure in 2004. The aging infrastructure requires significant repairs estimated at $40 million. The hatchery, which raises limited numbers of fish, particularly steelhead, is unable to meet production demands due to regulations restricting its output to protect federally designated threatened species.
The Mad River Fish Hatchery's shutdown marks the end of 50 years of providing fish for recreation, highlighting financial challenges and aging infrastructure as critical factors.
California wildlife officials revealed that the hatchery's operations will cease due to escalating repair costs, alongside federal restrictions on steelhead production that limit output.
Peter Tira from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife expressed regret, stating, 'It's a bit of a sad day for us here,' underscoring the hatchery's long history.
With the Northern California steelhead being a threatened species, the facility faced severe restrictions, ultimately allowing it to rear only 150,000 fry annually.
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